Supporting rocker frame



Dec' 1, 1964 G. D. COOPER 3,158,877

SUPPORTING ROCKER FRAME Filed Jan. 29, 1963 United States Patent O 3,15337'? SWPGRNG RGCER FRAME Gary l). Cooper, Randelph, Mass. (5%8 Fountain St., New Haven, Conn.) Filed lan. 29, 1%3, Ser. No. 254,69? 4 fCi. S-lll) My invention relates to a rocker frame for receiving and Supporting the removable crib or lift-out portion of a baby carriage or perambulator. More particular-ly, my invention provides an oscillatory Supporting frame for receiving the removable 'basket-like bed portion of a baby carriage whereby this portion of the carriage is converted into a cradle with rockers thereon.

In recent years, manufacturers of ba'by cai'riages or perambulators have oficred models of their vehicles in Which the crib or bassinet body portion constituting the bed for an infant ocoupant is readily removable from the wheeled frame forming the rest of the vehicle. When removed from the carriage frame, mis basket-like body, called a lift-out is self Supporting vso that it may be placed on the gound, the fioor, a table, in a car, or on any horizontal Supporting surface to serve as a stationary bed for the infant. Unfortunately, When placed directly on a Supporting surface, the bottom of the liftout may come in contact with surfaces Which are cold or sometimes Wet or dirty, with resulting discomfort to a baby in the bed and possible damage to the basket-like body.

One object of my invention is to .provide a supporting structure or framework for receiving a lift-out bassinet or bed and for holding it supported somewhat above a surface on which it may be placed so that the bottom of the bassinet does not come in direct contact with the Supporting surface and space is left for air circulation and ventilation below the body of the bed. A coincident object is to provide such a Supporting framework With curved surfaces forming rockers sothat, when the bassinet lift-out is in or on the framework, a Cradle will be provided for the infant.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rocker type Supporting frarne for a removable baby carriage body that is extremely stable and is provided With means `to resist being tipped over.

A fur er object of my invention is to provide a supporting rocker lframe of the character described that is inexpensive to make, light in weight and simple in construction.

A still fru'ther object of my invention is to provide such a bassinet-supporting rocker frame adapted to receive and hold lift-outs or carriage bodies of various lengths and depths without adjustment and that will accommodate a limited range of lift-out widths with a certain amount of adjustnent.

En carrying out they objects of my invention, in one embodiment thereof, I provide an open frame comprising a pair of mutually facing generally parallel upright U-shaped end portions held in spaced apart relation from each other by a pair of horizontal parallel spacing side bar portions, each extending between and joining the facing upright arm of one side of each U-shaped portion. Each U-shaped end portion is dimensioned to receive, between its Vertical side arms and above the bight of the U, the bottom and part of the sides of the body of a lift-out bed or bassinet, the bottom of the bassinet body being held above the bottom of the bight of the U by the start of the inward curvature of the bight or additionally by side support projections added at these locations. This provides spaciug of the bottom of the -bassinet or bed from the floor or other supporting surface on which the frame is placed. If the frame 'ice is made of pliable or bendable material, as is preferred, minor adjustments in Width of the frame may be made to accommodate, to a limited extent, variations in Width of beds or bassinets simply by pulling the spacing bar portions away from each other or pushing them toward one another to suit the size in Width of bed body being used. The horizontal length of the spacing hans joining the U-shaped portions is preferably shorter than the length of the smallest bed body expected to be supported, the ends of the bed body lift-out therefore always extending outward-ly beyond the U-shaped portions, as will be shown. The height of the straight sides of lthe U-shaped portions, which determines the height of the side spacing bars, is preferably not great enough Yto put these bars above the top edge of a bed or bassinet carried by the frame. The curved bottoms of the U-portions provide a rocker surface which adapts the frame to serve as a Cradle, which can be rocked in the manner of such devices. To prevent over-rocking, projecting bumpers are added to each side of each U-portion near the ends of the cuived portions of the U so that if the cradle frame is tilted too far, the bumpers will strike the supporting surface upon which the frame is placed and prevent further rocking or upset in that direction.

Other objects and further details of that Which is believed to be novel land included in my invention will `be clear from the following description and claims, taken with the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated a preferred example of a Supporting rocker frame ernbodying the present invention and incorporating features outlined above.

In the drawings:

FlG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemp'lary supporting rocker frame according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the frame of FlG. 1 in conjunction with a typical basketlike lift-out bed Which may be used therewith;

FlG. 3 is an end vie-w of the frame showing a typical bed body lift-out in position therein.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged end view of one segment of the rocker frame showing some details of construction, and

FlG. 5 is an enlarged end view like FIG. 4 but showing a variation of a detail for suporting the bottom of a lift-out in the frame.

For convenience in portability, storage and wider use of the equipment, it is customary for many makes or styles of baby carriages to be provided with a bed body lift-out lil of generally rectangular basket-like form, this body portion being readily remova'ble from the wheeled frame portion of the carriage to serve as a selfsupporting but collapsible orib or bassinet. One such typical lift-out includes a reetangular rigid upper frame 12, which may be padded if desired, this-frame carrying derending mutually joined end walls 14 and side walls 1-5 made of Waterproof flexible fabric or similar materifl. A bottom f, of like material, may be secured to or on a relatively stiff bottom Supporting board 19 at the lower extremities of the depending end walls and side walls. The bed body may have a pair of U-shaped stilfening members 15 pivoted at their ends to the frame 12 as at 37. To allow Collapse of the flexible ends and sides, the stitfening members are swnng up into the same plane as the Upper lift-out frame. When it is desired to use the yassembly as a self supporting crib or bed, the U-shaped stifiening members 15 Vare swung downwardly against the bottom 13 with its stiffening board l, placing the end and side walls under tension and holding the upper frame 12 above the bottom board 19.

Removable basket-like beds or lift-outs of other styles or designs are provided for various different models of baby carriages, but many are made of an outside Width close to l inches,.a .depth of'about inches or more.

and a length of about 30 inches or more. Although such beds having depths and/or lengths several inches greater than these are known, it is relatively seldom that their Width departs much from the inches given, perhaps because of an attempt at standardization, based upon the maximum size of an infant expected to use the crib.

VThe structure of the typical lift-out or bed just describcd therefore is not per se a part of my invention, althoL-gh the common dimensional and self-Supporting characteristicsr of such basket-like bodies are used to advantagein a rocker frame for such beds according to this invention.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a framework open at its ends and top and made of hollow aluminum tubing. In the best form known to me, I use two equal lengths or 3/1 diameter aluminum tubing, identically formed and then joined together. Each member includes a central curved rocker portion 29 formnut or head 30 on the inside of the frame to serve as a definite support. In FIG. 4 one corner of the bottom of the bed body is indicated by broken lines to show its position against the inwardly projecting support 30. In the form of =FIG. 5 a modified form of bolt or rivet 29 is shown with an extended projection 31 thereon to support the bottom of a bed having considerably narrower Width than the standard 15 inches.

ing the bottom of a U, with upright or vertically directed end portions 22 at the ends of the rockers and horzontally directe-d side portions 24 extending from the end portionsZZ. Well-known methods and equipment may be used to shape the frame members in this fashion. The ends 26 of each tubular member of the frame are joined in aligned and abutting relationship to corresponding and the horizontally extending side portionsze of each frame member constitute a pair of parallel spaced side portions or bars .for the completed frame. The ends of each of the frame members may be joined together by an internal plug or core and cooperating rivets, as shown, or theyv may be welded, brazed, or otherwise suitably secured together. In effect, the Completed frame is a single closed loop structure shaped as above described.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the closed loop frame thus comprises a pair of mutually facing, generally parallel upright U-shaped end portions 20 and 22 held Vin spaced apart relationV from each other by apair of horizontal parallel spacing bar side portions 24, extending between and joining. the facing upright arms 22 of the U-shaped portions. The clear space between the upright armsl 22 at each end is preferably approximately l5 inches so that the standard width of a typical lift-out bed may be accommodated readily. However,

theV particular bed being 'received within the frame is somewhat below or above this Width, the aluminum tubing of which the frame is made is sufiiciently pliable that the rsides of the frame may be slightly pushed together or pulled apart and bent, as shown in lFIG.V 3 by the dotthe curvaturerof the rocker portions 29 is preferably about 8 inches- This .will take care of carriage lift-out7 beds having at least that dimension from the bottom to the top rof the basket-like body. As in the case of bed bodies having a greater'length than the Preferred length7 of myframe, beds having a greater depth than the one selected will simply project further beyondithe frame.

:Whatever its depth, therbottom of the 'bed body will be supported at 'each end between the upright end por- Vopposite ends of the other frame element so that together tions V22fof the frame, the start of the curved portion 20 I on each side furnishing this support. .tlf desired, and to Vprovide `a more stable support at that point in addition to v the curvature of the frame, a bolt or rivet ZSmay-be extended ffhil'ough the frame, provided with a projecting As will be seen from the drawings and the explanation above, this Supporting frame, by its curved ends 29, provides a rocker support for a baby's bed or crib liftout, the rockers Supporting the bottom of the bed above a Supporting surface for proper ventilation. This converts the crib or bed into a convenient Cradle, useful in the time-honored manner of all such devices. However, for safetyls sake, it is desired to limit the amount of oscillation or rocking motion that may be obtained with this Cradle. Therefore, I have provided, near the ends of each central curved portion 20 of the frame, a resilient bumper or rocker stop 32 (which may be made of rubber or other suitable resilient material) held in place on the frame as byV a machine screw 34 or in any other suitable fashion. By its projection outwardly of the frame, each bumper 32 will prevent therocker from being tipped beyond the limit of motion determined by the location of the bumper, and the resilient nature of these elements will not only prevent sharp jam'ng of the cradle when it is rocked but also will prevent possible mari-ing of the surfaceron Which the cradle is placed and rocked.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of this invention are not limited to the particular details set forth as an example, and it is contemplated that various and other modifications and applications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the7 art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

shaped end portions each having a curved bottom and Vertical straight sides and i a pair of identical horizontal parallel side bar portions extending between and joining the upper ends of the, Vertical sides Vof said U-shaped-portions to hold said end portions in spaced apart relation, facing and parallel to each other,

the curved bottoms of said U-shaped end portions serrv-V i ing as rocker surfaces for Supporting the closed-loop frame structure, the horizontal bottom of a basketlike bed being received and removably held between the Vertical sides of said U-shaped portions above said rocker surfaces and the sides of the bed being held between said horizontal side bar portions.

2. A Supporting rocker frame as claimed in claim 1 inr i cluding inwardly Vextending projections adjacent the junction of the curved bottom and Vertical sides of said U- 'shaped end portions, removably to engage and support the ho'rizontal bottom of a bed in said frame above said rocker surfaces. 3. A Supporting rocker frame as claimed in'claim 1 including outwardly extending bumperfprojections near each endV of the curved bottom of each said U-shaped portion,

permitting rocking but preventing over-rocking of' i said frame by serving as stops. i i r 4. A Supporting rocker frame for receiving and removextending ends and sides, said frame conssting of a plurality of elongated pliable tnbnlar members joined together and formed into a single closed-loop structure including only a pair of identical spaced upright U-shaped end portions each having a curved bottom and Vertical parallel spaced sides and a pair of identical parallel straight side bar portions extending between and joining the npper ends of the Vertical sides of said `U-shaped portions to hold said end portions in spaced apart relation, parallel to each other, completing a frame open at its top and ends by having spaced parallel upright U-shaped ends joined by the parallel straight side bars an inwardly extending projection on the inside of said frame adjacent each junction of a curved bottom and Vertical side of said U-shaped portions, adapted to engage and support the rectangular bottom of a basket-like bed in the said frame and outwardly extending resilient bumper projections on the 2 outside of said frame near each end of the curved bottom of each said U-shaped portion, permitting rocking but Preventing over-rocking of said frame and serving as cushion stops,

the curved bottoms of said U-shaped end portions serving as rocker surfaces for supporting the total frame structure, the rectangular bottom of a basket-like bed being received and removably held between the Vertical sides of said U-shaped portions on said in- Wardly extending projections above said rocker snrfaces With the sides of the bed held between said parallel straight side bar portons, the pliable nature of said tubular frame members permitting hending adjustment of the Vertical sides of said U-shaped end portions of the frame toward and away from each other to accommodate beds of different Widths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 987,234 Ivers Mar. 21, 1911 1,566,178 Williams Dec. 15, 1925 1,609,776 Schwenk Dec. 7, 1926 2,688,997 Miller Sept. 14, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,375 Great Britain Oct. 30, 1878 

1. A SUPPORTING ROCKER FRAME FOR RECEIVING AND REMOVABLY HOLDING THEREIN A BASKET-LIKE BED UNIT OF THE TYPE HAVING A HORIZONTAL BOTTOM AND UPWARDLY EXTENDING ENDS AND SIDES, SAID FRAME CONSISTING OF A SINGLE CLOSED-LOOP STRUCTURE OPEN AT ITS TOP AND ENDS AND INCLUDING ONLY A PAIR OF IDENTICAL SYMMETRICAL SPACED UPRIGHT USHAPED END PORTIONS EACH HAVING A CURVED BOTTOM AND VERTICAL STRAIGHT SIDES AND A PAIR OF IDENTICAL HORIZONTAL PARALLEL SIDE BAR PORTIONS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND JOINING THE UPPER ENDS OF THE VERTICAL SIDES OF SAID U-SHAPED PORTIONS TO HOLD SAID END PORTIONS IN SPACED APART RELATION, FACING AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, THE CURVED BOTTOMS OF SAID U-SHAPED END PORTIONS SERVING AS ROCKER SURFACES FOR SUPPORTING THE CLOSED-LOOP FRAME STRUCTURE, THE HORIZONTAL BOTTOM OF A BASKETLIKE BED BEING RECEIVED AND REMOVABLY HELD BETWEEN THE VERTICAL SIDES OF SAID U-SHAPED PORTIONS ABOVE SAID ROCKER SURFACES AND THE SIDES OF THE BED BEING HELD BETWEEN SAID HORIZONTAL SIDE BAR PORTIONS. 